In this Grade 7 lesson from California myWorld Interactive, students examine the rise and expansion of the Mongol Empire, exploring how Genghis Khan united nomadic clans on the Central Asian steppes and built the largest empire in history through military strategy and conquest. Students also analyze how the empire was divided into khanates after Genghis Khan's death and how Mongol rule affected regions from China and Russia to Persia and the Muslim world. The lesson also addresses how Ming emperors later worked to erase Mongol influence and restore Chinese rule, using key vocabulary such as nomad, steppe, khan, tribute, and despot.
Section 1
Mongols Forge a Vast Empire
The Mongols were nomadic warriors from the vast grasslands of the Asian steppe. In the early 1200s, a leader named Genghis Khan united these clans into a powerful force.
Using brilliant military strategies and expert horsemanship, the Mongol army became nearly unstoppable. They moved quickly and fought with discipline, overwhelming settled civilizations.
Section 2
Mongols Rule China and Secure Trade
After conquering China, Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty. For the first time, foreigners ruled all of China. The Mongols kept their own culture and avoided fully blending into Chinese society.
The new rulers created a strict social structure. Mongols placed themselves at the top, followed by other foreigners who helped them govern. Most native Chinese people were put at the bottom of this system and were barred from holding high government positions.
Section 3
Ming Emperors Restore Chinese Rule
After pushing out the Mongol rulers, Chinese rebels established the Ming Dynasty. The first emperor, Hongwu, aimed to erase Mongol influence and restore traditional Chinese government.
To do this, Ming emperors brought back Confucianism as the official philosophy. They also restored the civil service system, which required officials to pass difficult exams. This system ensured that educated scholars, not foreign warriors, ran the government and that the emperor held absolute power.
Section 4
Ming China Turns Inward
Early Ming emperors wanted to project China's power across the seas. They sponsored seven grand voyages led by Admiral Zheng He. His massive treasure fleets sailed throughout the Indian Ocean, gathering tribute and demonstrating the wealth and strength of the Ming Dynasty.
After these expeditions, government officials argued that the voyages were too expensive. Instead, they wanted to focus resources on defending against threats from northern nomads.
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Section 1
Mongols Forge a Vast Empire
The Mongols were nomadic warriors from the vast grasslands of the Asian steppe. In the early 1200s, a leader named Genghis Khan united these clans into a powerful force.
Using brilliant military strategies and expert horsemanship, the Mongol army became nearly unstoppable. They moved quickly and fought with discipline, overwhelming settled civilizations.
Section 2
Mongols Rule China and Secure Trade
After conquering China, Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty. For the first time, foreigners ruled all of China. The Mongols kept their own culture and avoided fully blending into Chinese society.
The new rulers created a strict social structure. Mongols placed themselves at the top, followed by other foreigners who helped them govern. Most native Chinese people were put at the bottom of this system and were barred from holding high government positions.
Section 3
Ming Emperors Restore Chinese Rule
After pushing out the Mongol rulers, Chinese rebels established the Ming Dynasty. The first emperor, Hongwu, aimed to erase Mongol influence and restore traditional Chinese government.
To do this, Ming emperors brought back Confucianism as the official philosophy. They also restored the civil service system, which required officials to pass difficult exams. This system ensured that educated scholars, not foreign warriors, ran the government and that the emperor held absolute power.
Section 4
Ming China Turns Inward
Early Ming emperors wanted to project China's power across the seas. They sponsored seven grand voyages led by Admiral Zheng He. His massive treasure fleets sailed throughout the Indian Ocean, gathering tribute and demonstrating the wealth and strength of the Ming Dynasty.
After these expeditions, government officials argued that the voyages were too expensive. Instead, they wanted to focus resources on defending against threats from northern nomads.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter